Remembering Dad

My dad died six years ago today.

When I found out, I was prepping to lead a client meeting.

I received a text. “Dad just passed”

My parents had been traveling internationally.
The rest of my family lived out of state.

My boss and my company’s co-founder sat me down on a couch, asked me what I needed.
Because I couldn’t process it, or didn’t want to, I chose to keep working.

So we held the client meeting. I ran it. It went well.
(cue: mixed emotion humble brag)

At the end of the meeting our client, recently a proud dad himself, showed us photos of his baby son.
I winced at the day’s cruel irony.

Afterwards, my team took me out for a drink.
My wife Laura met us. And I finally let myself breathe.

To this day, I’m grateful to everyone who helped me get through that meeting & The Longest Afternoon Ever. Thank you Jess, Christopher, David, Stephanie, Hannah, Matt

If you work alongside good people, be grateful.
Because sometimes, your co-workers are your friends.
And sometimes, they’re your lifeline.

#dad
#bereavement
#coworkers
#gratitude